Jeff McLane and Zach Berman

The Marty Mornhinweg-Jim Washburn confrontation that resulted in the two Eagles coaches having to be separated by team personnel was not about offensive play-calling, as previously speculated, team sources said.

The spat occurred in the first half when Mornhinweg bumped into Washburn and the defensive line coach took exception and pushed the offensive coordinator back. Mornhinweg didn't back down and the two exchanged words and eventually had to be separated, one Eagles source said.

Some have speculated that Washburn, the Eagles' fiery defensive line coach, was unhappy with Mornhinweg's pass-heavy play-calling in the first half, one that did little to rest the defense.

The incident was just the latest for a 4-7 Eagles team that appears to be coming apart at the seams. They have little time to wallow in their misery, however. A short work week awaits and a cross-country flight to Seattle for a Thursday night game at the Seahawks.

Poll

Should the Eagles give LeSean McCoy a new contract?

Yes. He is a star player who puts the team ahead of his own goals.

No. He is having a nice season but has yet to prove he can excel year in and year out.

The tiff between the coaches was an oft-broached subject at the NovaCare Complex following a Monday walkthrough.

"That’s a tough situation because that should never happen," Eagles running back LeSean McCoy said. "Coaches or players, we’re in this thing together. I guess things happen playing a sport like this, everything’s always a team, team first. You might have disagreements, guys might feel a certain type of way, but you work it out."

Coach quarrels happen all the time, but rarely do they occur in public view during a game.

"Sensationalism. It's just something that can get blown out of proportion easily," Eagles guard Evan Mathis said. "Things like that happen in this sport. We all get wowed up and fired up. It's nothing personal."